And just as 16-year-old Ryan Dunn was on the verge of recovering it came back.

But Ryan has been saved by pioneering treatment and has bravely battled back and is now playing sport again.

Ryan, of Dalton, suffers from a giant cell tumour at the base of his spine.

The West Yorkshire cross-country runner first discovered his condition in 2009 when it left him unable to walk. He had been successful in trials over three years and was selected to run for his county each time.

Ryan’s mum Sharon Hamer said: “When we found out Ryan had the tumour he was only 14.

“It was the worst day of my life.

“I had taken him to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where he was placed under observation and every time the doctors did tests on him they would always talk to the both of us about the results.

“They had done blood tests but no results, then they ordered an MRI scan.

“I suddenly realised things must be bad as they asked to speak to me alone.

“After a couple days in Huddersfield, they sent us down to Birmingham Orthopedics Hospital to see a specialist. “He told us that Ryan had a Giant Cell Tumour, a disease which normally forms on the knees of adults.

“It is really rare to have it on the spine and it is even more rare for children to have it.”

The Netherhall Learning Campus student was operated on and his large tumour was removed.

He continued to visit the hospital and the family were delighted when the tumour didn’t appear on his three- month MRI scan.

But their joy was short-lived.

When Ryan returned for his six-month scan they discovered the tumour had come back and was nearly the same size as before.

Following that discovery, Ryan embarked on a trial injection from America, which only one other patient, a girl, is believed to have had.

Sharon added: “I started to take Ryan to Birmingham every week for his injections and now eventually it has gone down to once a month.

“The difference this time around is the tumour didn’t hit his nerves – which meant he felt no pain.

“If he hadn’t had that six-month scan, we would never have known it was there.

“He is doing much better now and has even started a brick-laying course.

“He can walk normally and has even started to play a bit of sport again.”

Football and ice skating are among the new activities helping the young athlete to get back on track.

Sharon was so grateful to the medical staff that helped her son while he was in Birmingham that she has decided to raise money for the hospital.

The ex-model has put together a themed calendar, which she is hoping to sell to raise money.

She said: “Everyone has been very supportive of the fundraising and I would like to thank photographer Simon Pollard for his help and also Executive Images who have put it together free of charge.

“The calendar will raise money for an X-box, a PS3 and other fun things for the children who are in hospital.

“Ryan was bored when he was ill, so I took one down and it was a really good idea.”

If you would like more information on Ryan’s condition or to buy a calendar email Sharon on shazza_2010@hotmail.com